FROM ATHEORETICAL TO MOTIVATION THEORY-BASED YOUTH DISCRETIONARY-TIME PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROMOTION: CURRENT AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Abstract

Megan Babkes Stellino, & Christina D. Sinclair

This article describes the importance of promoting children�s discretionary-time physical activity (DTPA) in connection with the rising international obesity epidemic. Schoolbased recess is highlighted as exemplar of an opportunity for children to obtain more DTPA. Brief review of the extant research focused on efforts to increase children�s recess physical activity (RPA) is provided. Literature from the field of sports psychology that has established a strong foundation of evidence regarding factors that increase youth motivation in various physical domain contexts will guide the proposed expansion to theoretical examination of predictors of youth DTPA. Three relevant motivation theory frameworks will be discussed as the basis for recommendations of future systematic research on promotion of youth DTPA.